OUR STAR WARS MOMENT: JUST LET IT IN

Just shy of a day and a half, approximately 34 hours time, we had a plethora of new Star Wars imagery to explode our wildest of geeked-out imaginations. As if the Official Movie Poster reveal wasn’t enough, we now have words, actual phrases, to pair with our newest Star Wars characters. Those snippets of dialogue are momentous to every Star Wars fan worldwide. In fact, the impact they’ve made in just this short amount of time has been a fan-moment in the making, for over thirty-some years. And yes, the force is indeed, calling …

Where were you when all of this Star Wars Goodness happened? I’m sure each and every one of you can answer that question without a blink of hesitation. But of course you should, we the fans, we’re making history. Think about it, the internet server went down the moment that poster dropped and let’s not even discuss what happened with the Fandango website. In other words, we are a force in our own right, to be reckoned with. I mean, come on! What other fandom blows up the internet in a matter of seconds?

That said, I was home, in my pajamas, waiting to purchase my tickets via Fandango — with the foosball game playing in the background. Yes, that’s right, I said foosball. Ok, moving on.

The instant the website crashed and continued to repeat the ‘Server Error’ message, my son booked upstairs with these words trailing behind him, “Watch out! She’s gonna blow like the Death Star.” Yeah, he knows his momma too well.

Frustrated, anxious, and my anxiety boiling over – I gave in and called my local theater (mind you, this was about 9:30p.m.). The manager assured me that I could purchase my advanced tickets on site, but I had to be there by 10:00p.m. After many sighs and multiple deep breaths, I swallowed my pride and grabbed my car keys – garbed in my flannel pajamas I did what anyone of us would’ve done, right? Needless to say, I reserved my 7p.m. spot for December 17th and matinee tickets for the following day.

So, tickets bought and stowed away, I was ready for the new trailer to grace my T.V., or so I thought. Like a five-year-old, I sat cross-legged on the floor in front of my flat screen and BAM! The feels hit me like a laser beam and suddenly, my eyes welled up with tears – it’s all a blur. Visually, yes, but the emotions are carved upon my fandom soul and that will resonate with me forever.

Star Wars has never been short of ambiguity and that is why it has carried on as long as it has, for generations upon generations. No, we do not know what paths we will follow these characters on, but we do know this, we will be compelled to share their journey for many years to come.

Already there are parallels laid before us, we can see that just from this two minute footage. Rey, though it’s more of an alternate parallel, it’s still notable. She claims to be “no one,” while young Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace boldly states, “I’m a person.” Another example is between Finn and Luke Skywalker. Finn mentions how “he’s got nothing left to fight for” and our young Luke from Star Wars: A New Hope sadly explains to Ben, “There’s nothing left for me now.” And perhaps, the most impressive parallelism was that of Han Solo in comparison to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Trust me, I’m as shocked and moved by this, as the rest of you.

Photo Source: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Official Trailer

“It’s true, all of it. The dark side. The Jedi. They’re real.”

The second I heard this, I could hear Ben telling the stories to Luke, the dark times, the Clone Wars. I’m looking forward to this emotional ride and to the tale that is yet to be told. A story of great significance, one that will indeed, impact them all. In other words, the circle is not yet complete. The force is calling you … just let it in.

1 Comment

Melinda

I, too, am eager to see where these new adventures will lead us, Becca! 🙂

I remember — sadly, on more than one occasion — hearing “fans” say they detested “The Phantom Menace” after seeing it. I loved it! But maybe that’s because I got what GL was doing with that film, I liked Jar Jar, and it appealed to “the child” in me. I liked seeing what the little boy (who would eventually grow up to become Darth Vader) was like, and the parallels to my favorite Star Wars character, Luke. Sadly, I think there will be “fans” who utter similar sentiments upon seeing “The Force Awakens”. While I won’t engage in arguments with them, I will shake my head, and say quite matter-of-factly, “You just don’t get it.” What more would there be to say? 😉

I refuse to read/listen to any of the suppositions about what one snippet in a trailer means, what the exclusion of a certain character in the official poster surmises. I don’t want to hear it, and, I will say quite emphatically — people should keep those musings to themselves. Don’t they understand the magic of movies?

Like you, I tuned into that … contest … Monday night — just to watch the commercials. As the second quarter got underway, and one of the color commentators mentioned the Star Wars Debut ( 🙂 ) would air during halftime, I breathed a sigh of relief. I did not really want to be glued to that game (hey, it wasn’t the Packers!) any longer than I had to. Then, my real frustration ensued! Even before kickoff, I sensed Fandango would not be able to handle the onslaught of Star Wars fans trying to buy tickets — all at the same time! After watching the “Error” message appear on my screen over and over and over again, I finally got so fed up, got redressed (I, too, was in my pajamas! 😉 I should have done what you did. However, being a former Marine, I still can dress myself in seconds. 🙂 ), and drove to our local theater! I was not the only Star Wars fan in line.

When I chatted with the very friendly clerk about the frustration of Fandango’s website crashing, she noted, “We just didn’t think there would be quite so much activity.” Imagine that! (She was a teenager. I will forgive her the silly comment.)

Tickets in hand — for Thursday night (with Tom), and Friday morning (for me) — I left the theater a happy camper. I am beside myself with anticipation. Quite honestly, I don’t know how I will make it to Dec. 17! 😉 lol (My oldest daughter was able to get us — as in all 4 of us … the girls will be home for Christmas! — tickets to one of the 3D shows, too, later in December. How she managed that for a WI theater all the way in California, I still don’t know!)

I feel like I’m still soaring — like a kite — high above the ground. I don’t know when — if ever — I will come back down to Earth. Hopefully, by Dec. 17. 🙂 I want to be in my seat at the theater to begin the next adventure! 🙂

Wonderful entry, Becca! Thank you so much for sharing your story, and thank you for letting me share mine. 🙂

Blogger for Coffee With Kenobi, Personal Author for Steve Anderson Lucasfilm Illustrator & Artist, & Featured Blogger, Administrative Consultant, Copy Editor for The Cantina Cast.
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